Choosing the right catering service can be key to your event’s success. When organising anything from a wedding to a family reunion, it is wise to reflect on the experience that catering can create. Contemplate for a moment the following:
- Is the event going to be formal, casual, or themed?
- Do you have an anticipated guest count?
- Have you thought about event timing and course sequencing?
- Is there a particular type of cuisine you’re drawn to?
- Have you and your committee considered any special dietary needs of guests either in the past or for this occasion?
Once you’ve had these talks, set a realistic budget. Catering can vary widely in price, so having a number will help.
Start by looking for caterers in your vicinity. Check online to assess the quality and dependability of the local companies you might use. Sites like Yelp and Google Reviews are useful for reading either way about your potential catering prospect. And when you want to be really thorough, ask around. Friends, family, and co-workers can lead you to caterers they’ve had good experiences with.
Once you have your shortlist of potential contenders, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Many catering companies have pretty extensive online presences and, as a result, aren’t too shy to show off their work. Visit their websites and do a little virtual window shopping.
Get in touch with the caterers to arrange for a food tasting or to obtain a sample menu. This will allow you to assess the food’s quality directly and thus make a more confident choice about your caterer. Also, when you are narrowing down your options, be sure to ask for references from past clients. Then, when you have those references, call them. Make sure you ask about three key areas:
- Punctuality: Did the caterer show up when they said they would and deliver the food according to the timeline?
- Service: Was the service during the event up to your standards? Was the staff present but not obtrusive? Did they handle their tasks with professionalism?
- Overall Satisfaction: Would your reference hire that same caterer again?
After you’ve picked a caterer, go over every little detail and make sure it all gets written into a contract. Here’s what you need to discuss with the caterer:
- Menu and Pricing: Go over the final menu and pricing again, just to be safe.
- Service Details: You definitely want to clarify what will and won’t happen, as well as when it will and won’t happen, in terms of event setup, service during the event, and cleanup.
- Cancellation Policy: Discuss the terms and conditions that will apply if you need to cancel or reschedule your event.
And don’t let fatigue set in as the event approaches—confirm everything once again with the caterer.
The ideal catering service requires combing through research and personal referrals and necessitates no small amount of planning to accomplish. A good caterer will provide not only delectable food but also exceptional service to guarantee “that your event is memorable for all the right reasons!”
